Museum of Ventura County — Upcoming Museum Events to FALL

Don’t Miss the Art Show of the Season!
Arte Para la Gente
The Collected Works of Margaret Garcia
Open November 11
Opening Reception November 13 @ 2-4pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
Arte Para la Gente explores artist Margaret Garcia’s vast body of work that captures and encapsulates culture, family, and urban life. Over the past four decades, Margaret Garcia has been a leader in the L.A. Chicano Art Movement, championing women, community, and those individuals who are marginalized by society. As a teacher and mentor, Margaret has inspired and encouraged artists to challenge their talents. Her students are encouraged to reach into their souls and create art that is authentic to self, and reflects their passion for the subjects they are painting. Many of those artists have emerged and found their unique voices in their artwork. Her most recent works, many shown here for the first time, were painted in Ventura County. Arte Para la Gente is on display at the Museum of Ventura County from November 11, 2021 to Spring 2022.
Sponsored by
Lazer Broadcasting KXLM 102.9 • KLJR 96.7 • KOXR 102.1
and Port of Hueneme
Women’s Qualities
Now – January 7, 2022
Downtown Ventura
The seven installations that make up Women’s Qualities by New York-based artist Ghada Amer can be viewed throughout historic Downtown Ventura. Women’s Qualities was originally commissioned for Desert X 2021 by Artistic Director Neville Wakefield and Co-curator César García-Alvarez and was installed at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage in the Coachella Valley. Click here to find all seven throughout downtown Ventura.
Click here to view them all on Instagram.
The installation is a collaboration between the Museum of Ventura County, the City of Ventura, the Downtown Ventura Partners, and the Ventura Botanical Gardens.
Story Time
at the Museum
November 13 @ 11:30am-1pm
at the Museum of Ventura County
The Museum of Ventura County has partnered with the county library to bring in-person Story Time on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 11:30am, through the end of the year! On the 13th of November, just in time for Thanksgiving, we’ll feature a story about Gratitude. And finally, on December 11th, our focus will be on Family. Join us for stories, then play & learn in the Children’s Garden, a fabulous and FREE outing for ALL!
11:30am – Story Time Begins
12:00pm – Story Time Concludes
12:00-12:30pm – Mobile Library-time OR Children’s Garden-time
Autumn Antiquities
Digital Jigsaw Puzzles
For Native American Heritage Month, the puzzles this month will display Chumash artifacts from our Collections!
The following image shows a whistle made from deer tibia with distal end broken off; proximal end has asphaltum over a hole, which shows the imprint of a shell that was once adhered there; found and taken from a cave in Northwest Ventura County. Donated to the Museum.
Take a moment or two to relax with new online jigsaw puzzles using photographs from the Museum. We have over 100 Digital Jigsaw puzzles for your enjoyment!
Brought to you in part by the
generous support of
Ellen Brokaw and
Al Lowe Construction
MVC Then:
When two pirate ships appeared off the California coast in November 1818, it was a moment the governor of the Royal Presidio of Monterey had been dreading for six weeks. He had been warned that Hippolyte Bouchard, a ruthless Argentine pirate, had set his sights on Monterey believing there was gold and other treasures hidden in California’s Spanish missions. The appearance of the ominous ships triggered events that led to a mother’s tragic loss on a hill above Mission San Buenaventura.
Made possible by the
Ventura County Credit Union,
Pierpont Racquet Club, and
Chrisman Estate Co.
Out and Back
Ventura County
Backcountry Adventures
In 2018 our library staff discovered 20 reels of 16mm film showing backwoods scenes from 1920s Ventura County. The film was too fragile to project, but with a grant from the Schwemm Family Foundation, the film was conserved and digitized. It is a one-of-a-kind glimpse
into the backcountry experience
from 100 years ago.
Funding for this project provided by The Schwemm Family Foundation
Exhibits + Programming
Museum of Ventura County
The Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula are open Thursday—Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Admission to both Museums is FREE through the end of the year.
Take a look at our current exhibits below!
Crossing Borders
at the Museum of Ventura County
Crossing Borders features select works from the Museum collection along with works by artists in the community who have immigrated to the US, sometimes as refugees in search of a safe haven, bringing their talent and creative
ideas with them.
America’s Revolution!
George Stuart Historical Figures®
at the Museum of Ventura County
Through his intricately created Historical Figures, George Stuart captures the colorful personalities involved in America’s struggle for independence.
Funding provided by the
Fred W. Smith Gallery Fund
Exhibits + Programming
Agriculture Museum
Tomols to Trains:
County Transportation
through the 1900s
at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula
Tomols to Trains explores how transportation played a role in Ventura County history. Visit the communities that struggled with the changes brought about by new modes of transportation.
See how towns and cities changed, how suburbs grew and how our farms and other industries became part of regional, national, and international economies.
Made possible by the
Heritage Fund at VCCF
Farm to Market
at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula
An interactive exhibit promoting healthy lifestyles through role-play, the Ag Market is an immersive environment where children and families identify healthy food choices in a market-like atmosphere.
Special thanks to
Santa Paula’s Mayor Carlos Juarez for volunteering his time and
talent in building our
fun-filled indoor market.
2021 Programming at the Agriculture Museum is
Supported by Topa Topa Flywheelers
Admission is free!
With four locations, MVC serves as the region’s cultural center for the exploration and presentation of history and art. Enjoy exhibits in the galleries, and spend time with family and community in the gardens. Register for live broadcast events where panels and guests discuss fascinating topics and take your questions.
MVC Recommends
Camerata Pacifica
High Definition Chamber Music
at the Museum of Ventura County
November 14, 2021 @ 3 pm
Camerata Pacifica is “the best chamber music reason to get out of the house in these parts,” says the Los Angeles Times. Drawing the finest chamber artists from around the world, Camerata Pacifica explores the breadth of the chamber music genre in live, dynamic performances presented for a live, dynamic 21st century audience. View program notes here.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.cameratapacifica.org.
The 2021 / 2022 Masterpiece Series:
New West Symphony Live!
New West Symphony musicians take our stages to present pinnacles of the symphonic canon.
New this season for families and holiday revelers is a December performance of wintertime and holiday masterworks, Tales of Winter!
For more information please contact NWS at 805.497.5880/866.776.8400
Explore More Exclusive
MVC Online Content
Watch Season 2 of
MVC Insider!
Explore over a dozen virtual and 3D exhibits, including Nordic Myths & Legends, Huelga! Photographs from the Frontlines, California Cool, and more!
Engage with us on social media where you’ll find our latest news, as well as incredible artifacts, reels, and art from our collections!
A Special Thanks to Our
MVC Supporters
Museum of Ventura County Business Club members are community leaders who are committed to the region’s history, art, and stories.
MVC thanks our current
for their support:
Major funding for these programs is made possible by the City of
San Buenaventura, the County of Ventura and private and community donors.
Museum of Ventura County • 100 East Main St. Ventura, CA 93001 • 805.653.0323
Agriculture Museum • 926 Railroad Ave. Santa Paula, CA 93060 • 805.525.3100